another question

I totally understand everything you are saying and I can understand your frustration as well.  I also understand why people would read my comments and get a little irritated when I say I probably wouldn't fight it.  The reason I understand is because there are wonderful people on here who have fought for years to get accepted and to hear someone like me say I don't think I am strong enough to fight almost seems like a pathetic way out.  I am not a strong person and I think I am more afraid of what will happen when they turn me down....how will I handle it ?  I don't think I will handle it well because I know I am in bad shape and I have allowed myself to get to this place.  I am not a patient person nor am I one that accepts defeat and keeps fighting...my daughter is 15 and she never accepts defeat, she just keeps trying in different ways to deal with things in life and she is my support every single day along with my mom, dad and sister and husband.  I am a person that just started this process and I have no idea what others have gone through that have been trying longer....all of you are people who make me want to keep fighting because when I read about your struggles I know that I can be strong enough to struggle as well. 

I am sorry it has taken me a couple days to get back to you. i ended up having oral surgery on Friday and have been out of sorts since.
The number for the care Coordination department is 800-638-7388.

I am glad my blogging has helped you. I know I love reading all of the peoples and hope to read yours sometime soon

As for UHC the requirement for a co-morbids is only if your BMI is under 40. If your over 40 you dont have to have any co-morbid. My dr's were saying they thought I would be denied because up until 2006 I did not have any co morbids diagnosed and my BMI was not over 40. I was only within the 35-39.9 range which "required" a co-morbid so they thought. And yes depression is a co-morbid but they only consider the "big 3" which are Sleep Apnea, Hypertension and type 2 diabetes.

If your BMI is over 40 and you have or can get the 5 years documented medical obesity

Then all you need is the "tried and failed diet" it does not have to be 6 months long. Mine was 2 months diet appts with my dr and I was allergic to the pill she gave me so I couldn't take them anymore.. that was my tried and failed.

a PCP letter

once you get all that the dr's office will tell you to set up your psyc eval.

I know you mentioned interest in Dr Houston if you have not done so already i highly recommend going to his seminar or one of the other 2 Dr's. They go over everything you need and want to know and more. You can register for one at http://www.cmcwls.com/default 
I don't mind answering any questions you have nor does anyone here but the seminar may answer questions you didn't know you had. And you can bring your sister and/or husband to it too.

Ok off to take more pain meds.. night!

I want to say, "I believe in YOU.  Even if you do not believe in YOURSELF." 

How can I say that?  Because, I was in the same shape.  I am not the person today that I was 2 1/2 yrs ago.  I used to have so much fear in my life, that I would not even TRY or attempt to do things because "What if I failed?"  But I think I put so much emphasis on wls changing my life...  that when I did get the denial, I fought like a tenacious bulldog!  I knew I fit the criteria, and I provided everything they needed.  Why? I figured, as long as I rely on someone else to get the job done, it could either not get done, or take forever. 

As a result of losing the weight, and seeing that I am valuable, that I do have something to offer, that I can love myself, that I can obtain and achieve goals, I have become a more confident person.  But I was not always like this.  Sometimes yes those fears still try to rear their ugly heads, and I just take a trip down memory lane of all that has happened in my life.

I believe in you.  I know others believe in you too!  And, you will handle each obstacle as they come along.  We will be here cheerleading for you, ok?  Though, don't expect me to jump too high on the "siss boom bah".  After all, my legs are kinda saggy. :)

 

I am fighting the tears...reading these wonderful comments filled with earnest in trying to help my sister.
You ALL will NEVER know what it means to me that you welcomed her openly and friendly and have been a great support for her.
I told her you all were a great group of people, and she is special to me.  What you all have said and done to help her will mean more than you guys will EVER know.

God bless you all and remember I love you sIEster!!!!!
YOU CAN DO IT!! YOU WILL DO IT!!! :0)